How to Make a Custom Glass Candle Holder

Decorating can be a real chore. If you've ever spent an entire Saturday driving from store to store with a swatch of carpet, paint or your favorite blue shirt, looking to find a matching glass candle holder that will work perfectly for your home, I feel your pain. I have no idea how many days I've lost or how much I've paid in gasoline to try and find the perfect glass candle holder for a centerpiece, coffee table, bathtub ledge or bookcase. Then it occurred to me that I didn't depend on retailers to provide me with other home improvement items. As an amateur woodworker, I made them myself, but crating was not something I had a lot of experience in. 

Once the idea had formed, however, I couldn't let it go. So after yet another Saturday trip to another retailer, I began to craft the perfect glass candle holder and you can, too!

You'll need the following items to make the perfect glass candle holder for your home:

• Solid glass candle holder (nothing expensive)
• Glass marbles w/one semi-flat or flat side in the color you want
• Glass & bead glue

Once you've purchased your supplies comes the fun part--customizing your glass candle holder.

1. Wash the glass candle holder with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Rinse the candle holder with warm water and dry it well.
   
2. Dampen a cotton swab with alcohol and wipe one side of the candle holder to prepare it for the beads. The alcohol will remove streaks. Allow the glass to dry completely before you continue.
3. Place your glass candle holder on its side on a clean cloth with the side you cleaned with alcohol face up.
   
4. Pour your glass pieces out so that you can easily see the colors.
5. Dab a bit of glue on the back of a glass piece and place it on the glass candle holder. The glue will not adhere immediately, so be careful that you do not dislodge one piece when placing the next piece.
6. Continue gluing pieces until you have filled the entire side of the glass candle holder with glass pieces.
   
7. Leave the glass candle holder with the decorated side up to dry overnight. 
8. Repeat the process the next day on a new side and allow it to dry overnight.

In just four days, you'll have a beautiful glass candle holder, uniquely designed to match your decor. You can also use this technique on vases, picture frames, bowels and any other glass surface you wish to customize to your tastes.